prophetofdoom Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 (edited) I don't fast every fast Sunday and I feel a little guilty about it. The reasons I don't fast sometimes, is because sometimes I don't have anything to pray for at times (I know that there is plenty to pray for but sometimes I can't think of anything). Also, sometimes I just get too hungry! That being said, Am I breaking a commandment by not fasting on fast Sunday? If so, I would like to better reform myself. Also, I still pay a fast offering when I don't fast because I know it helps the needy. Is it wrong to pay a fast offering without the fast? Edited February 6, 2011 by prophetofdoom Quote
mnn727 Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 I don't think its bad at all -- fasting is supposed to be purposful and many times I don't have a reason to. My wife is an insulin dependant diabetic and she never fast's. It took her too long to get her blood sugar numbers in line - one day of messing up her eating schedule can mess them up for a week. We always pay a fast offering. Quote
tubaloth Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 I think there are two situations here. 1. Is not having a reason. You aren't really fasting unless you have a purpose. I agree you shouldn't just go with out food and drink just because everybody else is. On the other had, not having a purpose means you are perfect, or really there isn't anything you need help with. I doubt this is the case. Really then it just comes down to planning. This has happened me a couple of times. You realize saturday night its time to fast, you don't have anything on your mind. Now for the next month you need to figure out where are your weaknesses that you know you need to work on. Honestly creating a list of things to fast about is probably better then just waiting until the last second. 2. To hungry. If Fasting is done right in most cases you shouldn't get THAT hungry that you have to eat. I also think it does take some practice. Again this is more of being committed to doing it. Which does Faith, which is really part of the purpose of Fasting, to Trust in God! Quote
tubaloth Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 We always pay a fast offering.This is completely different question. Do you pay faster offers even if you are not fasting. In the case of people that can't physically fast for two meals then I don't see anything different. They are trying to do as much as they can, but are limited physically. On the other side, I guess if you don't have a purpose or you even forget to fast, paying a fast offer does seem a little hypocritical. You know you aren't fasting but want to still donate. I guess it would still depend on why the person is paying it. Are they paying it because they don't want anybody know they aren't fasting?To me that isn't really fast offers (unless you are fasting) you can always donate money to the Humanitarian aid, or Missionary fund. Quote
Backroads Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 We were going to do a fast this weekend for my fiance's sealing clearance... until it arrived Friday and sort of through us off of that plan. Then my dad considered what it would be like to fast in gratitude. I don't fast every Fast Sunday. I feel that fasting should occur beyond normal scheduling times and we shouldn't be limited to that. It's a fine time to fast, don't get me wrong. But sometimes life is good and there really isn't anything to fast for. However, do we always have to have a reason to fast? I know everyone says if there is no reason than it's just going hungry. However, other religions fast without concrete reason because it's a time to feel more spiritual strength than physical. Quote
Dravin Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 However, do we always have to have a reason to fast? I know everyone says if there is no reason than it's just going hungry. However, other religions fast without concrete reason because it's a time to feel more spiritual strength than physical.Fasting for increased spiritual strength would be a reason, and a concrete one at that. Quote
pam Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 Also, sometimes I just get too hungry! That being said, Am I breaking a commandment by not fasting on fast Sunday? If so, I would like to better reform myself.Also, I still pay a fast offering when I don't fast because I know it helps the needy. Is it wrong to pay a fast offering without the fast? A quote from Elder Wirthlin:When we fast, brethren and sisters, we feel hunger. And for a short time, we literally put ourselves in the position of the hungry and the needy. As we do so, we have greater understanding of the deprivations they might feel. When we give to the bishop an offering to relieve the suffering of others, we not only do something sublime for others, but we do something wonderful for ourselves as well. King Benjamin taught that as we give of our substance to the poor, we retain “a remission of [our] sins from day to day.”The Law of the Fast(Bold is mine) Quote
bytebear Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" -Mark 2:27 Likewise, Fast Sunday was made to benefit the members of the church. Quote
dahlia Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 When I get my baptismal certificate and church number, I will pay a fast offering, even though as a diabetic, I don't plan to fast. I am able to eat lighter. With multiple meds, I'm afraid of fasting and going in to church for 3 hours and having to drive back w/no food in me. I think with the right support I could fast on days when I am at home and there is less stress on keeping the blood sugars in check. Is there anything wrong with this? It's important to me to give the fast offering in order to support the ward. If someone doesn't fast (and doesn't have medical or age-related reasons not to fast), I'm not sure I see the hypocrisy on donating to the ward, but I'm sure folks here can enlighten me. Quote
Backroads Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 When I get my baptismal certificate and church number, I will pay a fast offering, even though as a diabetic, I don't plan to fast. I am able to eat lighter. With multiple meds, I'm afraid of fasting and going in to church for 3 hours and having to drive back w/no food in me.I think with the right support I could fast on days when I am at home and there is less stress on keeping the blood sugars in check. Is there anything wrong with this? It's important to me to give the fast offering in order to support the ward. If someone doesn't fast (and doesn't have medical or age-related reasons not to fast), I'm not sure I see the hypocrisy on donating to the ward, but I'm sure folks here can enlighten me.I don't see the hypocrisy, either. What's wrong with giving money to those in need?I've heard of people who don't fast for one reason or another, who find other ways of "fasting". I like to think that if your heart is in the right place you will avoid hypocrisy. Quote
Dravin Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 I've heard of people who don't fast for one reason or another, who find other ways of "fasting". I like to think that if your heart is in the right place you will avoid hypocrisy.Indeed. I've heard of those who can't not eat and drink fast by limiting themselves to bread and water. Now bread and water wouldn't work for everyone but I think one could apply the same principle of eating as simply and plainly as possible and sacrifice some of your usual fair. Quote
beefche Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 dahlia, I have friends in the same position as you. One suggestion is to pick a food you regularly eat and then not eat that food during your fast. For example, if you consume diet soda regularly, then for your fast you can drink nothing but water. Quote
prophetofdoom Posted February 6, 2011 Author Report Posted February 6, 2011 Thanks everyone for your responses. I think that I just need to prepare myself better for the fast and plan for it. I find myself remembering last minute often and it kind of throws me off balance. Quote
MorningStar Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 If you pay a fast offering, it's not like you are declaring that you fasted. If you pay a more generous fast offering, that's not to say that you were going to have filet mignon for lunch. I think there is always something good to fast for. It's just a matter of remembering. Quote
prospectmom Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 No matter if you remember to fast or not you should always remember to give what you can. Fasting is a learned discipline which will help you grow closer to HF but your heart and mind need to be in it, not just doing it because we are suppose to. Fast offerings are so important for your ward and I for one have a strong testimony to the need and wonders of it. Quote
Wingnut Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 I disagree with the idea that a fast done properly shouldn't make us hungry. Part of the point of fasting is that it hurts a little. It's not sacrifice if it doesn't create a lack. I remember hearing a talk several years ago by Elder Condie, in which he said, about fasting, "Our emptiness will provide more room for the fulness of the gospel. The hollowing precedes the hallowing."Source Quote
Guest Alana Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 Thanks everyone for your responses. I think that I just need to prepare myself better for the fast and plan for it. I find myself remembering last minute often and it kind of throws me off balance.I agree. If I don't drink extra the night before and then fast the next day I get a super bad headache. Also, the huger thing, it really is hard after I haven't fasted in a long time and if you're used to grazing all day. Start with one meal, then two, then go a little longer. Building up to it really does help, mentally also. Quote
bytebear Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 One a side note, I found it interesting that of all the practices we covered in the missionary discussions (attending church, Word of Wisdom, Tithing), fasting and Fast Sunday was the only one that did not require a commitment, and was not part of the baptismal interview. Quote
slamjet Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 I disagree with the idea that a fast done properly shouldn't make us hungry. Part of the point of fasting is that it hurts a little. It's not sacrifice if it doesn't create a lack. I remember hearing a talk several years ago by Elder Condie, in which he said, about fasting, "Our emptiness will provide more room for the fulness of the gospel. The hollowing precedes the hallowing."SourceHowever, once I was fasting and for some reason, I got a queezy, dizzy, panicked feeling. So I ate, but I did pray first. I felt much better afterward. The Church teaches about moderation. Fasting, I believe, falls into the same category. Quote
Backroads Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 However, once I was fasting and for some reason, I got a queezy, dizzy, panicked feeling. So I ate, but I did pray first. I felt much better afterward. The Church teaches about moderation. Fasting, I believe, falls into the same category.Like when you have some zealot showing off how long he fasts/how weak he gets when he fasts? Quote
slamjet Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 Like when you have some zealot showing off how long he fasts/how weak he gets when he fasts? I'm not sure how to take this Quote
mnn727 Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 (edited) This is completely different question. Do you pay faster offers even if you are not fasting. Fast offerings go to pay for people that are less fortunate than you. It has nothing to do with YOUR fasting, it has everything to do with helping Brothers and Sisters in my own ward and stake and in the Church as a whole.To think its hypocritical to pay it if you don't fast is absurd. Edited February 7, 2011 by mnn727 Quote
Backroads Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 I'm not sure how to take this I'm only insulting you the tiniest little bit... I've met people who have bragged about how long they fast. Quote
prophetofdoom Posted February 7, 2011 Author Report Posted February 7, 2011 Fast offerings go to pay for people that are less fortunate than you. It has nothing to do with YOUR fasting, it has everything to do with helping Brothers and Sisters in my own ward and stake and in the Church as a whole.To think its hypocritical to pay it if you don't fast is absurd. I agree with you. Even if you don't fast, you should still pay the fast offering. It still does a lot of good to pay your fast offering. The only down side I see is that you don't receive all the spiritual blessings that come through fasting. Quote
slamjet Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 I'm only insulting you the tiniest little bit... Oh, well, if it's only a "tiniest little bit" then I GUESS it's acceptable Quote
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